Uncoupling device for car couplers



July 27 1926.

A. E. SMALL UNCOUPLING DEVICE FOR CAR COUPLERS Original Filed June 15' Patented July 27, 1926.

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ARTHUR n sMAriL, oFCirrcAed I'tnr'nors, VAssrenoR *ro union METAL PRonncrs COMPANY, or CHICAGO, Immers, A coRroRArroN or DELAWARE.

UNcoUrLINe nRvICE non CAR e'ourtn'n's.

origin-ai application fue June 15, 1ste, serial No. 5ea525, new Patent no. isefisa, issued May 11, 192e. Divided and this application filed July 5, l1923:. Serial No. 649,514.

This invention relates to an uncoupling device known in the art 'as the push down type or vertical plane type wherein the le` vers are -f'ul-crumed 'upon the end sill of the car, having their inner end operatively connected to the eye of the lock lifter and having the 4outer end positioned relative to the car so as to be oper-ated bythe hand or the foot of the switchman. The levers, there-f fore, move in substantially a vertical planey so that a pressure by hand or f'oot on the outer end of the outer lever raises the inner end of the inner lever which, being connectedwith the lock lift of the coupler, unlocks the coupler and automatic-ally throws the knuckle. The invention, however, does not rel-ate to parts 'or actions of the coupler.

An object of this invention is to increase the bearing area of the operating lever upon the fulcrum, thus reducing the friction, and furthermore, to prevent its tipping and wabbling which cause friction. y

Another object is to prevent this same wabbling and tipping of the pin lifting lever, at the same time allowing the pin lifting lever to swing laterally from its juncture with the fulcrum to accommodate itself to the fore and aft movement of the coupler without transmitting any lateral movement to the operating lever.

Another object is to obtain a light and very strong operating lever, yet very simple to make.

The stop to limit the rotative movement of either of the two4 levers in a vertical plane may be provided in any convenient manner, forl instance, it may be cast integral with the fulcrum.

A It will be notedthat the two levers, the fulcrum and the fulcrum bracket, are all very simple to make or repair and `can be assembled by an unskilled person and cannot be improperly applied.

In the drawings:

Fig. 1 is a fragmentary elevation of a' freight car with the device applied thereon. Fig. 2 shows `an enlarged plan view of the fulcrum and the fulcrum ends of the two Eig. 3 is an elevation of Fig. 2. Fig. 4f shows the fulcrum end of the operating lever.

Fig. 5 shows the fulcrum end of the pin lifting lever;

6 rshows side elevationv of fulcrum casting.

Fig.

casting. i

Numeral 1 is the end of the par; 2 is the coupler; 3 is the coupler lock block eye;4 is the fulcrum with large porti-on le and reduced journal portion 31 forming a shoulder for the operating lever 33. Y

The operating lever 33 is' prjvide'd with bifurcations 311 and 35 which have perforations 3bv which engage the fulcrum 31. The pin lifting'lever 3() has perforation 37 which engages fulcrum 31.

The pin lifting lever 3'() extend-'s beyond the fulcrum 31 'andisfo'rnied in a T head 32, the twobars of which engage the bifurcated end of the operating leverV 33 so that a downward movement of the operating lever raisesfthe pin lifting lever; furthermore, the T head engagement betweenthe two levers prevents the pin lifting lever 7 shows end elevation of fulcrum vfrom tipping an'd causing friction between it Aand the fulcrum. ,v l y The bifurcated end of the operating lever 33 doubles its bearing area on the fulcrum 31 and also prevents it from tipping or Vwabbling and causing friction between it and the fulcrum. Furthermore, it prevents it from swinging laterally which would make it dangerous for the operator.V

rlhe pin lifting lever is positioned on the `common fulcrum lbetween the bifurcations of the operating lever, which bifurcations are spaced apart `so that the coupler end of the pin lifting lever may move with the coupler in draft without binding, distorting or moving the operating lever. Furthermore, the spacing apart of these bifurcations reduces the tipping tendency of theoperating lever.

The fulcrum 31 has key or projection 38 which engages keyways 3,9 in the ends of operating lever 33 and also engages keyways l0 in pin lifting lever 30. ,Howeverg keyways 39 and 110 are somewhat larger than key 38 to permit the operating and pin lifting levers to move in a vertical plane a predetermined distance. l

The various parts of the device are held in operative position by bolts 41 with nuts 42 and washers 43. The fulcrum casting 3l has an enlarged portion 44 which forms a shoulder for the bifurcated end of lever 33. This fulcrum casting is held to the car in any convenient manner, such as by brackets 45.

This application is a division of my application No. 568,525, filed June 15, 1922.

I claim:

1. An uncoupling device for car couplers comprising a fulcrum, an operating lever bifurcated at one end to form spaced apart walls having bearings on said fulcrum, and a pin lifting lever mounted on said fulcrum between said walls and extending beyond said fulcrum to have operative engagement with both of said walls.

2. An uncoupling device for car couplers comprising a fulcrum, an operating lever birfurcated at one end to form spaced apart walls having bearings on said fulcrum and a pin lifting lever mounted on said fulcrum between said walls and extending beyond said fulcrum to engage both of said walls to retain said pin lifting lever in a substantially vertical plane and to operatively engage said levers.

3. An uncoupling device for car couplers comprising a fulcrum, an operating lever with one end bifurcated to form spaced apart walls having bearings on said fulcrum. and a pin lifting lever mounted on said fulcrum between the said walls, the distance between said walls being greater than the horizontal width of said pin lifting lever whereby the pin lifting lever may move laterally, said pin lifting lever extending beyond said fulcrum to have operative engagement with both of said walls.

4. An uncoupling device for car couplers comprising a fulcrum, an operating lever with one end bifurcated to form spaced apart walls having bearings on said fulcrum, and a pin lifting lever mounted on said fulcrum between the said walls, the distance between said walls being greater than the horizontal width of said pin lifting lever whereby the pin lifting lever may move laterally, said pin lifting lever extending beyond said fulcrum to have operative engagement with both of said walls, and to retain said pin lifting lever in substantially a vertical plane.

5. In an uncoupling device for railway cars comprising a fulcrum having a journal provided with a lateral extension, a pin lifting lever perforated for said journal, said perforation contoured so that said extension limits the rotation of said lever about said journal, and an operating lever operatively connected to said pin lifting lever.

6. In an uncoupling` device for railway cars comprising a fulcrum having a journal provided with a lateral extension, an

operating lever, and a pin lifting lever, said levers perforated for said journal and operatively connected together, the perforation in one of said levers contoured so that said extension limits the rotation of said lever about said journal.

7. An uncoupling device for car couplers comprising a fulcrum, a lever bifurcated to provide two portions bearing on said fulcrum, and another lever mounted on said fulcrum between said portions and extending beyond said fulcrum to operatively engage both of said portions.

8. Anuncoupling device for car couplers comprising a fulcrum, an operating lever bifurcated to provide two portions bearing on said fulcrum, and a pin lifting lever mounted on said fulcrum between said portions, said pin lifting lever extending between said portions and provided with lateral projections to operatively engage both of said portions.

9. An uncoupling device for car couplers comprising a lever having an aperture adjacent its fulcrum end, and a fulcrum passing through said aperture; the contour of said aperture and said fulcrum, respectively, arranged to restrict the movement of the lever about the fulcrum.

10. An uncoupling device for car couplers comprising an operating lever having an aperture adjacent its fulcrum end, a pin lifting lever having an aperture adjacent its fulcrum end operatively connected to said operating lever, and a fulcrum passing through said apertures, the contours of said apertures and fulcrum respectively arranged to restrict the movement of said levers about said fulcrum.

11. An uncoupling device for car couplers comprisinga fulcrum with an integral stop, a pin lifting lever, and an operating lever each provided with an aperture for engagement with said fulcrum, said levers operatively connected together, one of said apertures formed with an integral shoulder to engage said stop to restrict the movement of said lever about said fulcrum.

12. An uncoupling device for car couplers comprising a fulcrum with an integral stop, a pin lifting lever, and an operating lever each provided with an aperture for engagement with said fulcrum, said levers operatively connected together, each of said apertures formed with integral shoulders to engage said stop to restrict the movement of said levers about said fulcrum.

13. An uncoupling device for car couplers comprising an operating lever having an aperture adjacent its fulcrum end, a pin lifting lever having an aperture adjacent its fulcrum end, and a fulcrum having a journal passing through said apertures, said journal and said apertures so contoured as to restrict the rotative movement of each lever about the journal independent of the other lever, said levers operatively connccted together.

14. An uncoupling device for car couplers comprising an operating lever bifurcated at 011e end 4to form spaced apart Walls With apertures therein, a pin lifting lever posi* tioned between said Walls and having an aperture adjacent its fulcrum end, and a fulcrum having a journal passing through said apertures, said journal and said apertures so contoured as to restrict the rotative movement of each lever about the journal independent of the other lever, said levers operatively connected together.

15. An uncoupling device for car couplers comprising a lever having a key-Wayed aperture adjacent its fulcrum end, and a keyed fulcrum passing through said aperture, the key of the fulcrum engaging the keyWay of the lever upon a predetermined movement of said lever.

16. An uncoupling device for car couplers comprising an operating lever having a key- Wayed aperture adjacent its fulcrum end, a pin lifting lever having a key-Wayed aperture adjacent its ulcrum end, and a keyed iulcrum passing through said apertures, the key of said ulcruin restricting the movement of either of said levers by engaging the corresponding keyway.

ARTHUR E. SMALL. 

